Today, those signs have been replaced by familiarcorporate logos that make precisely the opposite claim, promising usthe same goods arranged in the same way as they are in every otherplace.

And on two previous occasions it has reduced the level of tax rebates that exporters of energy-intensive goods can claim, in some cases down to zero.

Columbus had been granted the authority by the Spanish Monarchy to claim the land for the Spanish, begin a settlement, trade for valuable goods or gold and explore.